Forecast issued at: Saturday 27th July 2024 12:00
Rain
Over the past week, rainfall amounts were above average for the west and north of the country with rainfall totals in the east and south near or below average. It was wettest at Knock Airport with 39.1mm recorded (176% of the July weekly norm). It was driest at Cork Airport with 6.7mm of rain recorded (36% of average). It will be largely dry from today (Saturday) through until mid-week apart from occasional showers. However, more appreciable rain is likely from Thursday onwards. Accumulations for the 7 day period are expected to range from around 10-20mm with the bulk of that rainfall expected from Thursday onwards.
Temperatures
Over the past week, mean air temperatures have generally been within a degree of average, ranging between 13.9 degrees and 16.4 degrees. Soil temperatures are near average or above average across the country, ranging between 15.1 and 18.2 degrees, which is 0.3 to 2 degrees above average. Mean air temperatures over the coming week are forecast to average 1-2 degrees above the July mean. Soil temperatures will also remain above normal.
Sunshine
In the past week, sunshine amounts have been below average across the country. It was brightest in the west with 28 hours of sunshine recorded at Belmullet, Co. Mayo (92% of average). It was much duller in the east with just 12.5 hours of sunshine recorded at Dublin Airport (34% of average). Above normal amounts of sunshine are likely in the east and south over the coming week and near-normal sunshine totals further west and north.
Drying Conditions
Fairly good drying conditions from this evening through until Wednesday, especially in the east and south of the country with mostly dry weather and above normal temperatures. Drying conditions likely to become poorer later next week.
Spraying
There will be generally good opportunities for spraying on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday due to mostly dry weather and fairly light winds, especially in the east and south of the country. It will become rather warm with maximum afternoon temperatures reaching 21-24 degrees.
Field Conditions
Soil moisture deficits (SMDs) across all soil types are generally between 10 and 50mm, highest in the east. However, soils are closer to saturation in the northwest with SMDs there generally between 0 and 7mm. SMDs will fluctuate somewhat through the course of the week but with less than average rainfall expected, SMDs will increase to between 15 and 60mm for most of the country. However, SMDs will remain lower in the northwest, with SMDs between 5 and 15mm.
Forecast maps and meteograms can be found on Blight Forecast.
